Fire breaks out at Delilah's Pet Shop

The Bloomington Fire Department battled a fire Monday morning at Delilah’s Pet Shop, 1320 N. College Ave.

The fire department was notified of the blaze early Monday morning and took about three hours to extinguish.

Delilah’s owner Karene Kidwell told the Indiana Daily Student that there were about 25 animals in the pet shop. Kidwell said the animals that were rescued were taken to the Arlington Heights Veterinary Hospital.

Mike Livingston, manager at the Arlington Heights Veterinary Hospital, said that the hospital has taken in 12 of the rescued animals. They are a mixture of dogs and cats, Livingston said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time, but Kidwell said she thinks the fire started in the back of building.

“This is surely your worst fear,” she said.

Bloomington Fire Department Chief Roger Kerr said the fire is out and the department is currently investigating the cause. Kerr said the building is a total loss.

Many people have been offering their support and kindness though, Kidwell said.

“These little kindnesses are something that you can’t buy,” she said.

Kidwell said she is worried about the future, though.

“The thing that I hate most about this is that I do a lot of work with dogs with allergies, and I won’t be able to help them now,” she said.

Delilah’s Pet Shop is named for Kidwell’s late St. Bernard. Delilah died on July 2, and Kidwell said that after this, she’s glad.

“She would have been a mess if she got out (of the fire),” Kidwell said. “When we moved, she couldn’t figure out what happened.”

Kidwell is thankful, though, that no one was hurt.

“The other stuff is just stuff,” she said.